Shivaji University (Marathi: शिवाजी विद्यापीठ), established in 1962, is in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. The university's campus is 853 acres (3.4519 km2), and is named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire. It was inaugurated on 18 November 1962 by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the then president of India. Yashwantrao Chavan and Balasaheb Desai took the lead in establishing this university. Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara come under its jurisdiction with 279 affiliated colleges and recognised institutes. One of the major objectives behind its foundation was to cater to the regional needs of South Maharashtra. The University's efforts towards excellence are being recognised by the substantial grants received from funding agencies like University Grants Commission (India), Department of Science and Technology (India), and DBT. This University is self reliant University for Water and uses water stored on its campus during the rainy season. Its having biodiversity rich campus.